This year, cancer is hitting me a little harder. A co-worker of Jules' just died of colon cancer, and a coworker of mine was just diagnosed with breast cancer.
Jules' coworker was diagnosed at Stage 4. He had been experiencing what, in retrospect, were signs of colon cancer, but kept putting off going to the doctor because his work was so demanding and, unfortunately, he worked for a company that doesn't appear to value work/life balance. (Do I sound a little bitter? I am. Jules has since left that job, for that and many other reasons.) He lived 4 1/2 months after the diagnosis. Early detection might have spared his life. His two little girls might not have had to lose their father so early in life.
I realize that Race for the Cure is about breast cancer, not about colon cancer, but Mike's death had an impact on me nonetheless. For more information about colon cancer, see the Mayo Clinic website or Medline Plus or talk to your doctor!
My coworker was diagnosed early. She made the decision to have a double mastectomy (instead of single), because that was the only way she felt she could go on without feeling, in her words, "like a ticking time bomb".
Because of these two incidents, I doubled my fundraising goal this year. I know it's a lot to ask of anyone right now, but donate if you can. A double mastectomy being the best-case scenario is unacceptable! A 42-year-old man leaving behind a wife and two young girls is unacceptable!
If you can't donate, pledge your support by getting educated:
•See your doctor, learn your risk!
•Get mammograms and breast exams!
•Notice changes to your breasts!
•Start the fight by living right!
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